Lansing City Council Fourth Ward Candidate: Zacharie Spurlock
Here are the responses from Lansing Fourth Ward Candidate 2025 Zacharie Spurlock to the 6 News Pre-Primary Candidate Questionnaire.
Mr. Spurlock did not provide any social media or website links as requested in the survey.
My name is Zacharie Spurlock, and I've lived in Lansing for roughly 4 years, in both the Westside and Genesee Neighborhoods. I'm running to represent Ward 4 on Lansing's City Council because honestly, I have grown tired of career politicians, wealthy individuals and unresponsive representatives sitting in seats of power. This is a national issue, but more topically, it's an issue that is banging on Lansing's front door as well. I want to help the residents of Ward 4 succeed in whatever they're doing, whether that be fighting for tenant's rights, building new infrastructure or coming together as a community to do projects. Ward 4 deserves somebody who isn't running to try to line their pocket books, bolster their career or step on resident's backs to get a leg up for their political future. On that note, one pledge I am very proud to stand behind is my pledge to donate 20% of my Council Member salary directly back to Ward 4 via a system of grants. This would equate to roughly $5.5k a year, or about $22k for my term of 4 years. So far, I am the only candidate to commit to this pledge. Applicants such as community gardens, cultural centers and neighborhood associations would be welcome to apply. In my opinion, it's time for politicians to put their money where their mouth is instead of just raking in tax-payer's money to do little, or in some cases, nothing. Additionally, one of my priorities would be to introduce a salary freeze for at least 2 years for any elected official, or 1 year for any appointed official in the city. It's not morally right to accept a pay increase while residents are living paycheck-to-paycheck. I am currently working as a bartender at American Fifth Distillery, but have previously worked at Lansing Parks and Recreation, Meridian Township Clerk's Office and Red Cedar Spirits. I would utilize my combined experience to bring a community-focused seat to the Council.
Council Members are elected to represent either their unique Ward (1 of 4), or be anAt-Large Representative (overseeing the city as a whole). Typically, this system allows forindividual Wards to get the attentive care that they need from their elected Representative, whileallowing 'floating' Reps to assist with city-wide issues.Sadly, in many cases we see these Ward-specific Reps lose sight of that mindset, andthey strive to be faux At-Large Reps. There is nothing wrong with focusing on the city as awhole, while also prioritizing your Ward specifically. That is my vision as an elected official forthis position, and I would strive to steer my colleagues in a similar manner.On that note, I believe that's why the citizens of Lansing are losing faith in their electedofficials. If you're elected to represent a Ward, but you go MIA for multiple months, it doesn'texactly instill confidence for the constituents who put you on the Council to represent them.For governance, it's the Council's job to maintain laws, checks and balances to ensurethe city is running properly, while also focusing on Ward-specific problems. These checks andbalances aren't just for the Council, but also for the mayor and other officials too. That's why it'scrucial to have somebody who you truly feel listens and represents you seated on the Council.
Let's not incorrectly paint this as just an availability crisis. Let's shine the light on whatthe bigger issues are: Affordability and property maintenance. Across the country, people arestruggling. A recent CNBC survey found that roughly 77% of Americans are feeling anxiousabout their financial security. Readers, if you've felt this sting and insecurity, you're not alone.First, let's talk about the roughly 700 red-tagged buildings in Lansing. There are variousreasons for these buildings being tagged, but many were rental properties that have beenplaced in the system and rarely followed-up on. At bare minimum, if we started here and workedwith owners and contractors to build/repair working-class apartments, I think positive strideswould be made in affordable and available housing. Landlords need to be held accountable fortheir failings to protect their property, their tenant's safety, and the value of the neighborhoodtheir failing properties affect.Second, I am in full support of the Tenant's Bill of Rights for Lansing that has beenproposed by the organization 'Rent is Too Damn High'. Topically, the 4th right on said documentspeaks on fair chance access to housing, preventing landlords from denying housing on thebasis of criminal history. While more manufacturing workers come to the city, it's important thatwe give everybody a fair chance to housing, regardless of their background.Finally, where there are multiple plans for 'high-cost' apartment complexes coming toLansing, it's time we shifted focus to working-class complexes in areas that make sense.
I have pledged to have at minimum two meetings with constituents per month, at timesaccessible to all. During these meetings, I would speak on past/current/upcoming votes onCouncil, while also taking time to address how national policies are affecting residents. Inaddition, I have also pledged that my first bill introduced would make it mandatory for CouncilMembers and the Mayor to meet with constituents at minimum once a month at an easilyaccessible time.As of right now, there is no such requirement. This would be a great starting point forelected officials to have a chance to talk to their constituents while also holding themaccountable if they choose to not do so, or if they choose to do so at hard-to-access times.That being said, if there is a disagreement that springs up, I think it's important that theCouncil/Mayor discusses it openly and not behind closed doors. In fact, it's important to notethat doing so behind closed doors may violate Michigan's Open Meetings Act. I will alwaysspeak my mind when it comes to representing Ward 4 constituents, even if it ruffles the feathersof the Council or Mayor. Citizens deserve transparency with their elected officials, and I plan tobring that to the residents of Ward 4 and Lansing as a whole.
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